Working Safely in Trenches

Do NOT enter an unprotected trench!

Each employee in a trench shall be protected from a cave-in by an adequate protective system.

Sloped for stability; or

Cut to create stepped benched grades; or

Supported by a system made with posts, beams, shores or planking and

hydraulic jacks; or

Supported by a trench box to protect workers in a trench.

Additionally, excavated or other materials must be at least 2 feet back from the
edge of a trench; and

A safe means of egress shall be provided within 25 feet of workers in a trench.

Hazard Alert: Safe Work in Trenches

Most trenches are dug to lay pipe or place manholes, conduit runs, or footings. It is easy to try to work fast in a trench
and get out without taking the correct safety steps. Dont. Each year, more than 30 construction workers are killed in
trenches.

The Hazards

A trench is a confined space with many special problems. Most deaths in trenches are from cave-ins. Other risks
are falls, electrocution, being struck by falling objects (or a backhoe), and bad air. Bad air can hurt your breathing,
help cause a fire, or poison you. Many workers die trying to rescue other workers in trenches.

OSHA says your employer (the contractor) must train you about the hazards and how to protect yourself.
If a trench will be dug, the contractor must name a competent person. (OSHA says a competent person knows
the OSHA excavation standard,* is trained in soil analysis and protective systems, can identify hazards, and has
authority to stop work right away.)
OSHA has special rules to protect workers in trenches (and all excavations). You must follow the OSHA rules
unless:

The trench is in stable rock, or

The trench is less than 5 feet deep and a competent person finds no reason to expect a cave-in.

A competent person must inspect a trench:

Before every shift

If bad air is expected such as, the trench is in a sewer or near a dump or stored chemicals

After anything that can increase hazards, such as:

o

Every rainstorm

Vibration (such as, from nearby heavy equipment or a passing train)

The trench wall moves, causing cracking, scaling, or bulging

A heavy load near the trench moves or gets heavier.

BEFORE YOU WORK IN A TRENCH:

Get a competent person to OK it.
Make sure all equipment is in good condition. This includes water pumps and ventilators.
You must have a way to get out, like a ladder (within 25 feet of you), if the trench is 4 feet deep or more.
The contractor must have all utilities marked before digging. The contractor must call utility companies and shut
off all electricity, gas, and water pipes in the trench. Do not use a boom near overhead power lines. If you must
operate boomed equipment, ask the competent person to make sure power has been cut off and the lines have been
grounded.
If bad air is expected, OSHA says there must be a rescue plan and rescue equipment on the job site. Rescue
teams must have special training. The best way is to follow OSHA rules for rescues from confined spaces.*
If bad air is expected, a competent person must test the air:

OSHA says the air must have 19.5 to 23.5% oxygen.

OSHA says substances that can burn or explode like gasoline or methane must be at less than 20% of
the lower explosive limit (or lower flammability limit). (The industry says 10%.)

Check the air for toxics like chlorine, carbon monoxide, sewer gases, and hydrogen sulfide. Thesetoxics
can kill. Carbon monoxide has no smell. Hydrogen sulfide smells like rotten eggs. The competent person
will decide if blowers can keep the air safe.

A competent person must check the soil. This check helps the competent person choose the right workerprotection system.

A trench can be in stable rock, or type A, type B, or type C soil. Stable rock and type A soils are the safest.
Most soils are type B. Sand and trenches with water are type C soils.

Do not work in a trench that contains water until the competent person checks if it is safe.

Clay can be type A, B, or C soil; it depends on how much water is in the clay. Many cave-ins
happen in clay, because people think it looks safe.

WHEN YOU WORK:

You will need to use sloping, benching, shoring, or a trench box to prevent injuries or deaths.
Keep the spoil pile 2 feet or more from the edge of the trench.
Prevent materials, rocks, or soil from falling into the trench; use barriers, if needed.
A competent person should test the air as often as needed to make sure it is safe.

What Causes Falls in Road Work

Most of the work in heavy and highway construction which excludes bridges and tunnel work is done on or near
the ground. This means that the most falls results from slips or trips on the same level. Falls on walking and working
surfaces involve:

tripping over materials or debris,

falling on hills or embankments,

stepping in holes or walking on irregular ground,

stumbling while carrying loads that block vision, and

slips or trips in muddy, wet, or icy conditions.

There are some falls from elevations in road work. The most common include:

falls from riding in or on moving equipment,

falls while mounting or dismounting vehicles and equipment,

falls from bridges,

falls from formwork, and

falls into excavations.

Most falls in road construction result from slips or trips on the same level.
In road work, there are some falls from elevations. Even falls from a few feet can kill. OSHA requires fall protection
for work at 6 feet above any surface.
How Do We Prevent Falls on Same Level?
There are many simple methods for preventing falls on the same level in road construction. Try to do as many as
possible. Just a few of them include:

If possible, avoid walking on muddy, wet, or icy surfaces.

Use footwear with ankle support and soles that grip.

Don't carry heavy loads, use hauling equipment

Practice good housekeeping, remove tools and materials.

Fill in or mark hidden holes in ground.

Clear walking/working surfaces of tripping hazards.

Include walking routes in site safety plan.

One of the best things we can all do to protect ourselves from all types of falls is to maintain good physical strength
and conditioning. No matter what shape we're in, we can improve it.
How Do We Avoid Falls From Elevations?

There are also many methods for preventing falls from elevations. Some of these methods include:

a 100% fall protection program,

pre-plan work for personal fall arrest,

erect guardrails around large excavations,

seatbelts or restraints for riding in cars,

modular erection to avoid work at heights on forms,

using 3-point contact on ladders.

What Injuries Are Most Common

Sprain and strain injuries can happen once or can accumulate. Common sprain/strain injuries in road work:

Hand and wrist problems.

Back injuries.

Sprains, strains, and overexertion.

43% of lost work day injuries in roadway construction are sprains and strains.
Out of 7,933 highway workers with lost workday injuries in 2000, 3,378 had sprains or strains.
Another 85 had carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
Back injuries are the most common sprains and strains in construction.
What Causes These Injuries?
Think of the most difficult parts of your job. These injuries may be caused by:

Working in awkward postures, such as raking asphalt.

Handling heavy materials like in concrete formwork.

Repetitive work, like rebar tying or operating joysticks.

Using vibrating tools like a jackhammer or pavement breaker.

Whole body vibration for operators and other workers.

How Can We Avoid Sprains and Strains?

Think of ways to do the job differently. Work can be made easier:

Minimize manual materials handling with dollies, hoists, other equipment.

Better job planning deliver materials where they're used.

Store materials for easy access.

Use tools that are comfortable, easy to handle.

Wear PPE like kneepads and shoulder pads.

Take breaks when possible, rotate difficult and easier tasks